Dembare Stop Chunga

NORMAL service seems to be on its way back at struggling Harare giants Dynamos after midfielder Masimba Mambare inspired the team to a two-nil victory over city rivals Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Rufaro yesterday.

The win -- Dynamos' third on the trot as well as the second at the venue in as many weeks -- propelled the Glamour Boys into fifth place, their highest so far this season.

It seems Harare City new coach Moses Chunga may have prematurely boasted of his perfect start to his tenure, with two wins out of two games.

On the other hand, not many had expected a win from DeMbare, who had a horror start to their current season.

Dembare Stop Chunga

Ironically, it was Chunga's side that had the better of the exchanges throughout the match, but ended up losing the match.

Mambare gave DeMbare the lead against the run of play in the 10th minute when he flicked Ocean Mushure's in-swinging corner kick past a badly exposed Tafadzwa Dube.

Even after taking the lead, a Dynamos victory was still too close to call, until Mambare turned provider for the second goal.

The former Highlanders midfielder beat his marker on the right side and his squared delivery picked an unmarked Brett Amidu, who extended the lead with a low shot through a cluster of opposition players.

With a two-goal cushion after 24 minutes, Dynamos had no reason to take any risks and were content with defending.

But Harare City were their own worst enemies as they preferred to walk the ball into the net instead of taking shots from range.

Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa was more excited about winning yet another match at Rufaro instead of the overall performance.

"We scored two goals that made a difference. I am happy that we have picked up our second consecutive victory at Rufaro Stadium. It was evident from the beginning that our shortcoming was scoring goals and once we started, the element of self-belief is catching up with the players," he said after the match.

Raphael Manuvire as well as former Dynamos star player Ronald Chitiyo were anonymous for Harare City.

Chunga was not impressed by his team's defensive display.

"We didn't come to the party. If you look at our defence, it was sloppy. We allowed a goal at the near post and the second goal, we were in sixes and sevens. We couldn't clear the ball," he said.

"It's a game of football. When you make mistakes you get punished. Our counter-attack was not working well and from Tuesday, we will be working on that."

Going into the high-profile match, Mutasa had opted for a very youthful side that included Musa Madhiri, King Nasama, Kudzi Nyakasaka and Brett Amidu in the teams' offensive positions.

Apart from Amidu, the rest of the youngsters struggled.

Teams:

Harare City: T Dube, J Tigere, A Chiveya (B Moyo 61'), M Diro-Nyenye, C Dickson, T Samanja, J Jam (H Chimutimunzeve 45') R Chitiyo, M Vengesai (F Madhanhanga 79'), R Manuvire, F Zekumbawire

Dynamos: T Mukuruva, G Murwira, O Mwerahari, A Mbara, O Mushure, S Alimenda, B Amidu, M Madhiri (S Chipunza 70'), M Mambare, K Nasama (D Mukandi 57'), K Nyakasaka (R Kawonder 20')